Self-Employed People

HC Deb 03 March 1987 vol 111 c564W

36. Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on regional variations in the numbers of self-employed.

Mr. Trippier

Estimates of the numbers self-employed in each region are recorded on page 40 of the supplement published with the February editionEmployment Gazette, a copy of which is in the Library. In each region there were more self-employed in 1985, the latest year for which firm estimates are available, than in 1979.

50. Mr. Hirst

asked the Paymaster General what is his most recent estimate of the number of self-employed in the United Kingdom; and what was the comparable number in May 1979.

Mr. Lee

In September 1986, the latest date for which figures are available, there were an estimated 2,775,000 self-employed people in the United Kingdom. In June 1979 (figures are not available for May) the number was 1,925,000.